Beauty amid terror: Musician performs haunting rendition of Hallelujah on the deserted streets of Brussels

  • Brussels has been on lockdown since Saturday due to a 'terrorist threat'
  • But moving video shows a musician playing Leonard Cohen classic
  • Clip shows some people going about daily routine in the Belgian capital 

This is the moment a cellist performed a moving rendition of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah on the streets of panic-stricken Brussels.

The Belgian city is currently on 'lockdown,' after police confirmed there was 'various operations' underway due to a 'terrorist threat'. 

They also requested a 'radio silence' on social media of details of the operations.

The music played by the cellist provides some soothing tones at a difficult time for those in Brussels

The music played by the cellist provides some soothing tones at a difficult time for those in Brussels

This still from the footage shows an army truck parked up after the Belgian city went on lockdown due to a terrorist threat

This still from the footage shows an army truck parked up after the Belgian city went on lockdown due to a terrorist threat

But this footage recorded in the city centre shows a musician offering some comforting sounds to people walking past.

The video was shared on Twitter by Els Ampe, who is believed to be a resident.

On sharing the clip, she wrote: 'Feels surrealistic. This is my city yesterday. Today #Brussels is even more unreal. #brusselsalert.'

Norman Lebrecht responded to the posting by saying: 'Thanks you for the moving video,' to which Ms Ampe added: 'Normally I should say 'with pleasure' but that feels weird right now. It is all so not what we are used to in 'quiet' Belgium.'

People appear to still be going about their daily routine in Brussels despite the terrorism threat

People appear to still be going about their daily routine in Brussels despite the terrorism threat

Members of the public lean in to donate some money to the musician in the city centre

Members of the public lean in to donate some money to the musician in the city centre

Despite the state of emergency called in Belgium, the video shows people carrying out their daily business. Some move towards the musician to donate money to their cause.

Chillingly, also in shot is an army vehicle, called in to deal with the terrorist threat as announced by the government on Saturday.

Last night, Belgian police opened fire on the driver of a vehicle during raids targeting terror suspects across Brussels last night in which 16 people were arrested.

The prosecutor's office said it was during a raid on a snack bar in Molenbeek that the man drove at police, who opened fire on his vehicle.

Belgian Army soldiers patrol near deserted terraces in the centre of Brussels

Belgian Army soldiers patrol near deserted terraces in the centre of Brussels

A Belgian soldier stands guard around a security perimeter at Grand Place central square in Brussels

A Belgian soldier stands guard around a security perimeter at Grand Place central square in Brussels

Authorities raided 19 properties in the coordinated police operation, arresting 16 people who are set to appear before a judge today.

However, Paris fugitive Salah Abdeslam was not among those arrested, and no weapons or explosives were found.

It comes as it was announced the city would be locked down for a third day today with the Prime Minister warning of an imminent attack taking place over several areas by terrorists armed with guns and explosives.

Charles Michel, the Prime Minister, said schools, universities and the underground system would have to remain closed today.

Brussels has kept subways and underground trams closed for a third day with the perceived terror threat

Brussels has kept subways and underground trams closed for a third day with the perceived terror threat

Belgian special police forces take part in an operation in the neighborhood of Molenbeek in Brussels

Belgian special police forces take part in an operation in the neighborhood of Molenbeek in Brussels

Paris fugitive Salah Abdeslam is just one of several feared to be at large in the city, where the usually thronged streets have been eerily quiet after the country was moved to its highest level of security alert.

Belgium closed the metro system, museums, cinemas and shopping centres, and advised locals to avoid large crowds, while clubs and venues have cancelled events.

Abdeslam, who has been described as 'armed and dangerous', went on the run after taking part in the massacre of 130 in Paris on November 13.

His brother Mohamed, who was arrested following the attacks only to be released without charge, believes he backed out of the attack 'at the very last moment'.

 

 

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